Work-support



W. T. B.'ROBEBT,S. WORK-SUPPORT. APPLICATION FILED APR. i1. 1-915.

1,330,902. Patented Feb. 17, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

W. T. B. ROBERTS.

WORK SUPPORT. APPLICATION FILED APR. I7. 1916.

Patented Feb. 17, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

3 m 4 3 f m k #0 u 7 m m J a 1 W u r .TA 0 7 fifi H J J e v. n c f b 6 1- 9 Q H UN STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM THOMAS BUCKINGI-EAM OF LEICESTER, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TS UHITEL, SHOE MACHINERY CGRTFDR-ATION, 0F PATERSON, 'NEW JERSEY, COREGRATIGN GE NEW JERSEY.

'VORK-SUPPORT.

Continuation of application Serial No. 22,372, filed April 22, 1515.

Specification of Letters Eatent.

Serial No. 91,640.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM THOMAS BUCKINGHAM Ronnnrs, a subject of the King of England, residing at Leicester, Leicestershire, England, have invented certain Improvements in lVork-Supports, of'which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like reference characters on the drawings indicating like parts in the several figures. r

The present invention relates to shoe supports and more particularly to supports for holding lasts with shoes thereon during operations performed in the manufacture of those shoes. The invention aims to provide an improved shoe support so constructed as to facilitate proper presentation of a shoe in position to be operated upon-and to relieve the operator so far as possible of the labor of presenting and guiding the shoe for the operation of the machine.

The invention is herein shown and described for the purpose of illustration as embodied in a shoe support especially designed for holding a shoe in position to be operated upon by a fastening inserting ma chine of the type shown, for example, in United States Letters Patent No. 922,447, granted May 25, 1909, on an application of Arthur Bates and Henry P. Gamble.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved shoe support constructed and arranged both for rectilinear movement in the direction of the feed of the shoe and also for movement in a curved path extending in the general direction of the rectilinear movement.

Preferably, and as herein set forth in connection with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the curved path of movement of the shoe support is so arranged that the shoe is rocked about a center approximately coinciding with the center of the ball portion of the shoe, thereby enabling the curved bottom surfaces of the shoe to be presented substantially at right angles to the line of drive of the inserting mechanism. In order that the ball portions oflasts of different sizes may be located approximately in the center of the curved path of movement of the shoe support, as shown, the support is arranged for simultaneous adjustment in the directions of the length and height of the shoe according to the size of the shoe being operated upo In accordance with another feature of the invention, the illustrated shoe support is capable of angular adjustment to compensate for the lateral curvature of the shoe bottom. Preferably, also, the shoe support is constructed and arranged for rotary movement about a vertical axis in its normal shoe supporting position and is adapted to be held against rotary movement in whatever position it assumes when an operating force is acting upon the supported shoe.

These and other features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the invention may be used in numerous ways and embodied in machines other than fastening inserting machines without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a nailing machine with a jack embodying the invention in a preferred form;

Fig. 2 is a view of the upper part of the jack drawn to a larger scale; and

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view of the jack.

The illustrated shoe support comprises a vertical spindle 1 connected at its lower endby a universal joint 2 with a lever 3 which, under the influence of a strong spring 4, maintains the spindle in operative relation to the fastening inserting mechanism. The lower portion of the spindle is conveniently disposed, as shown, within the lower portion of the standard 5 of the machine. The upper end of the spindle 1 is provided with a vertically adjustable sleeve 6 having two arms, one of which is shown at 7, Fig. 1. These arms provide bearings for a sleeve 8 adjustably inclined with relation to the spindle 1 and clamped in adjusted position by a nut 9 projecting through a slot in the arm 7. This provision for adjustment enables the shoe to be positioned at an angle in respect to the fastening inserting mechanism, thereby compensating for the transverse curvature of the shoe bottom.

The sleeve 8 has a relatively wide flange or table 10 formed on its upper end which table'supports a friction disk 11 of leather or other material. Supported by the sleeve 8 is a bed 12 provided with a similar flange 13 adapted to cooperate with the friction disk 11 on the sleeve 8 and having formed upon it a short, hollow shaft 14 (Fig. 2) which is rotatably received in the sleeve 8. A comparatively light spring 15 is disposed in the bore in the shaft 14: and bears on a stud 16 mounted on an adjustable bolt 17 threaded through an arm 18 projecting from the lower portion of the sleeve 8. This spring normally supports the bed 12 yieldingly in position for the flange 13-to be out of frictional engagement with the disk 11. The spring 15 is compressed dur ing the fastening inserting or other operations upon the shoe so as to cause the flange 13 on the bed12 to engage the disk 11 on the sleeve 8, as shown in Fig. 2, thus frictionally holding the bed 12 against rotation relatively to the sleeve 8. The bed 12 is provided with a series of anti-friction rolls 19 (Fig; 3) which are free to rotate on shafts 20 and two removable strips 21 are secured to the member 12 to form between the latter and the rolls 19 guideways.

for the flanges 22 of a float 23. The guideways in the bed12 are arc-shaped as are also the flanges 22 of the float 23, the center of curvature of the guideways being located approximately at a point concentric with the ball curves of the shoe supported on the jack when in operative position.

The float 23.is provided with two rectilinear V-shaped ribs or flanges 24:, 25 located on either side of the float 23 and which are received in similarly shaped grooves extending lengthwise of a carriage 28 mounted on the float. The width of the V-shaped grooves in the carriage is somewhat less than the distance between the sides of the. V-shaped guiding ribs 2'4, 25 whereby the guiding ribs become wedged in the guide grooves in the carriage when a substantially perpendicular pressure is exerted on the, carriage, thus holding the carriage against further sliding movement on the float. Two flanges 26 and 27 are also formed on the float 23 to engage either side of a longitudinally extending rib formed on the underside of the carriage 28 to aid in guiding the carriage in its rectilinear sliding movement on the float. An adjustable stud 29 (Fig. 2) is threaded into the bed 12 in such manner as to project upwardly be tween thearcual guides on the bed into positionto engage a depending boss 30 at one end of the float for the purpose of limiting the arcual movement of the float.

A heel post 31 is formed integral with a slide 32 which is supported on the carriage 28 and is adapted to move in an inclined guideway formed in the carriage 28, the in clined guideway extending in the direction of the rectilinear guideways for the carriage 28. A toe post 33 is similarly formed integral with a slide 34; which is also supported on the carriage 28 and is arranged movement in a similar inclined guideway extending in the direction of the inclined guideway for the heel post. The slide 34E has a depending lug 35 adapted to engage an adjustable stud 36 mounted on the float 23 to limit the rectilinearmovement of the carriage 28 on the float 23. The two in clined ways on the carriage 28 are inclined upwardly toward each other from th ends of the slide and are preferably inclined at different angles, as shown, the one forv the toe post being inclined at approximately 18 degrees and that for the heel post at approximately 22 degrees. These inclined ways are substantially parallel to the lines in which the extreme toe ends of the lasts and the heel pin sockets of the lasts would fall if standard lasts of a series, for example, boys, womens and mens lasts, were placed upon the shoe support so that the curves of the balls of the lasts coincide as nearly as possible. The center of curvature of the curved path coincides when the float is moved, rectilinearly to bring the ball curves of the last over the center of the curved path, with the center of the mean curve of the ball curves of shoes of different sizes. 7

The heights of the heel and toe posts are preferably such that, by movement of the carriage28 alOIlg the float 23, the centers of the ball curves of lasts of various sizes can be made co-axial with the centers of curvature of the arcual guides in the'bed 12.

This arrangement is shown clearly in Fig.

2 in which the axis of the center'of curvature of the guides in the bed 12 is indicated at A and a a, b b, 0 0, (Z cl, 6 e and f 7, respectively, represent the positions occupied by the extreme toe ends and the heel sockets or thimbles of a series of lasts of different sizes, for example, mens and womens lasts, so placed that the ball curves of the lasts are more or less'concentric and for fall moreor less in a line co-axial with the path of movement of the carriage 28 and the axis A. The points 0", cl, 6 and 7 representthe highest points of'the balls of a series of lasts'of small sizes.

The heel post slide 31 is provided with a forwardly extending rack 37 formed on its under side and the slide 3% has a similar rack 60 formed on its upper side and extending rearwardly. These racks engage the opposite sides of a transversely disposed toothed gear 39 rotatably mounted near the center of the slide 28 and provided with a conveniently located milled head 40 arranged for adjustment by hand. The gear 39 is locked against rotation by a spring, not shown, which normally holds the gear in position for castellations 41 (Fig. 3) on the head to engage cooperating recesses formed in a boss on the side of the carriage 28.

The heel post slide 31 carries at its upper end a last pin 43 mounted to tip transversely of the shoe upon a pivot stud 44 (F 2) which is supported in bearings 45 in a knuckle 62. This knuckle is mounted on a second pivot stud 46 which extends trans versely of the shoe and has bearings 47, (Fig. 3) formed in the heel post 31. The back of the heel pin 43 is provided with a serrated surface 48 (Fig. 2) which extends in a plane parallel to that of the transverse rocking movement of the last pin and is adapted to be engaged by a cooperating serrated surface formed upon the end of one arm 49 of a bell-crank lever mounted on the stud or pin 46. The other arm of the bell crank lever is formed in two parts 50 and 51 having a telescopic connection, this arm of the lever being provided at its forward end with a pivoted pawl 52 arranged to engage a rack 53-formed on the side of the toe post 33. The pawl 52 has a tail 54 which extends in the vicinity of an operating handle 55 at the extreme end of the arm by which handle the pawl may be disengaged from the rack.

In the use of the ack above described for holding and presenting a shoe to a fastening inserting machine, the operator places the shoe upon the heel post 43 and toe post 33 and, having adjusted the toe post and heel post to the particular size of the shoe by the adjustment 40 and positioned the shoe so that the general plane of the forepart of the shoe is at substantially right angles to the line of drive of the fastening inserting mechanism, simultaneously locks the heel post against further transverse tipping movement, and locks the shoe upon the toe post and heel post by depressing the handle 55. Depression of the handle 55 causes the arm. 49 to engage the serrated surface 48 on the last pin 43 thus preventing movement of the last pin about its pivot 44 and also forcing the toe end of the shoe downwardly upon the toe rest. The engagement of the pawl 52 with the rack 53 maintains the handle 55 in its adjusted position. The work is then positioned relatively to the fastening inserting mechanism, the necessary movements of the work supporting elements to present successive portions of the work step-by-step for the operation of the fastening inserting mechanism taking place along the rectilinear supports 24, 25, 25 and 27, the arcual guides in the bed 12, about the shaft 14 in the sleeve 8, and about the universal joint 2 of the spindle 1. is the center of the ball curve oi the last can be brought substantially into alinement with the centers of curvature of the arcual guides, the position of the ball portion of the shoe with relation to the fastening inserting mechanism can be effected with little effort on the part of the operator.

l/Vhen a shoe of a different size is to be operated upon, the operator places the last upon the heel pin and then, by rotating the gear 39, simultaneously alters the positions of the toe post and the heel post in the inclined ways so that the center of curvature of the ball of the last will still be located approximately in alinement with the centers of curvature of the arcual guides when the carriage 28 is moved to bring the ball of the last over the centers of the guides.

If, for any reason, it becomes desirable to alter the angle at which the nail enters the work this can be eifected by angular adjustment of the sleeve 8, the adjustable stud 29 in the member 12 being preferably likewise adjusted to secure a similar inclination of the nails at the extreme toe. In the event of the latter adjustment being efi ected, it may also be desirable to adjust the stud 36 with which the lug 35 on the toe post slide contacts so as to compensate for any change in nailing position on the surface of the work which might be caused by a change in the limit of swing at the toe end of the shoe. Y

This application is a continuation of my application Serial No. 23,072, filed April 22, 1915, for Letters Patent for improvements in work supports, as to all subject-matter common to this application and my said application Serial No. 23,072.

Having fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire secure by United States Letters Patent:

1. In a shoe support, a bed, a carriage mounted on the bed for movement in a. curved path extending lengthwise of the shoe, and shoe holding means mounted on the carriage and so connected that move ment of one results in simultaneous adjustment of the other shoe holding means in the direction of the length and of the height of the shoe, the connections between said means being so arranged as to locate and maintain the bottoms of shoes of various sizes in substantially the same longitudinal relation to the curved path through which the shoe is movable.

2. In a shoe support, a spindle, a bed ro tatably mounted upon the spindle, a float mounted to rock freely longitudinally of the bed, a carriage mounted for sliding movement on the float in the direction of its rocking movement, and shoe holding means mounted on the carriage for simultaneous adjustment in the direction or" the length and also of the height 0; the shoe.

3. In a shoe support, a spindle, a bed rotatably mounted on the spindle, said bed being also mounted for lateral tipping movement on the spindle, a carriage supported on the bed and provided with shoe holding means, and means arranged to direct movement oi the carriage in a horizontal plane longitudinally of the shoe and also in a curved path lengthwise of the shoe about a center located approximately concentric with the ball curve of the shoe when it is directly over said center.

4. In a shoe support, a bed, a carriage mounted on the bed for sliding movement in a horizontal plane lengthwise of the shoe and also for movement in a curved path of which the center of curvature is located approximately concentric with the ball curve of the shoe, shoe holding means and means for effecting an adjustment of the shoe holding means into positions to support shoes of various sizes with the ball curve of the shoe concentric with the center of curvature of the curved path.

5. In a shoe support, a carriage, shoe holding means mounted on the carriage for simultaneous adjustment in the direction of the length and also in the direction of the height of the shoe, said means being constructed to permit lateral tipping of the.

shoe, and means for locking the shoe in its adjusted position. 7

6. In a shoe support, a carriage, a toe rest and a heel rest mounted on said carriage, said heel rest having a last pin constructed and arranged for free tipping movement longitudinally and transversely of the shoe supported by the toe rest and heel rest and means for locking the last pin in its adjusted position.

7. In a shoe support, a bed, a carriage connected thereto for sliding movement lon gitudinally of the bed in ahorizontal plane and also for movement along a curved path, a toe rest and a heel rest mounted on the carriage for simultaneous adjustment in the direction of the length and in the direction of the height of a shoe, said heel rest being mounted on the carriage for tipping movement toward the toe rest and for lateral tipping movement, and means for efiecting at a single operation the locking of the heel rest against tipping movement in either direction.

8. In a shoe support, a bed, a carriage supported by said bed, shoe holding means mounted on the carriage for simultaneous adjustment in the direction of the length and in the direction of the height of the shoe, whereby vshoes of various sizes may be supported with the bottoms of the shoes in the same plane, and means constructed and arranged to direct movement of the carriage lengthwise of the bed in a curved path of which the center of curvature is located approximately concentric with the ball curve of the shoe when it is directly over said center. V

9. In a shoe support, a spindle, a bed so mounted on the spindle that it may rotate and also tip thereon, a float mounted to rock freely longitudinally of the bed, a car riage mounted for right line sliding movement in the direction of the rocking movement of the float, a toe rest and a heel rest nounted on said carriage, means for effecting simultaneously an adjustment of the toe rest and of the heel rest toward and from each other and upwardly and clownwardly, means for locking a shoe upon said toe and heel rests, and means for limiting the sliding movement of said carriage on said float.

10. In a shoe support, a bed, a carriage connected thereto for sliding movement and also for rocking movement with respect to the bed lengthwise of the shoe, a toe rest and a heel rest mounted on the carriage, said heel rest being arranged for tipping movement in the direction of the length of the shoe and also laterally of the shoe, and a lever for positively locking said heel rest in its adjusted position.

11. In a shoe support, a bed provided with curved guideways extending in the di rection of the length of the shoe, a float adapted to move freely along said guideways and having horizontal f-shaped guiding ribs extending in the direction of the length of the shoe and a shoe supporting carriage freely movable over said float and having V-shaped grooves cooperating with said V-shaped ribs, the V-shaped opening of said grooves being less than the distance between the sides of said ribs whereby the V-shaped guiding ribs and the' V-shaped guide grooves become wedged when pressure is exerted on the carriage thus locking the carriage against movement on the float.

12. In a shoe support, a bed, a carriage mounted on said bed for longitudinal sliding movement in a curved path, a heel post and a toe post mounted on said carriage, and means for eiiecting a simultaneous relative adjustment or said heel post and toe post whereby the ball curves of lasts of different sizes may be disposed substantially concentrically with the curved path of movement of said carriage.

13. In a shoe support, a bed, a carriage mounted on said bed for rectilinearmovement longitudinally of the bed and also for movement along a curved path, shoe holding means mounted on the carriage for simultaneous relative adjustment in the directions of the length and the height of the shoe; adjustable means for limiting the extent of rectilinear movement of the carriage and means for limiting the extent of swinging movement or" the carriage in the direction of the length of the shoe.

14. In a shoe support, a spindle, a bed rotatably mounted on said spindle, a carriage mounted on said bed for movement in a curved path lengthwise of the shoe, shoe holding means mounted on said carriage, and connections between said spindle and said bed normally maintained out of engagement with each other and adapted to be brought into engagement to hold said bed against rotation when the shoe held by said shoe holding means is operated upon.

15. In a shoe support, a spindle, a bed yieldingly and rotatably mounted on said spindle a carriage mounted on said bed for rectilinear movement and movement in a curved path extending in the direction of the rectilinear movement of the carriage, shoe holding means mounted 011 said carriage, and connections between said spindle and said bed normally maintained out of engagement with each other and adapted to be brought into engagement to hold said bed against rotation when an operating force is acting upon the supported shoe.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

WILLIAM THOMAS BUGKINGHAM ROBERTS. 

